Category Buyer

Finlay Jude Associates Limited; Hyde; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading service provider in the wastewater industry is seeking an experienced Materials and Services Category Buyer to join their Procurement team in the Hyde area. This role involves developing category strategies, managing supplier relationships, and leading procurement activities to drive value and efficiencies. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, be commercially aware, and promote ethical procurement standards. A competitive salary and hybrid working conditions are offered.

Benefits

A competitive salary

Hybrid Working

Car/car allowance

25 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Contribution Pension scheme

Life Assurance

Health Insurance

Private Medical Insurance

Cycle to work scheme

Discounts and savings Hub

Qualifications

• Proven talent for building strong relationships with departments and suppliers.
• Focus on delivering procurement solutions with a customer-first mindset.
• Able to represent the Procurement function independently.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category plans that align with business goals.
• Lead procurement activities across projects to achieve cost efficiencies.
• Manage supplier relationships and track performance.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Influencing abilities

Strong relationship building

Proactive and confident

Commercial awareness

Ethical procurement standards

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Overview

FJA are recruiting on behalf of a leading service provider in the wastewater industry for an experienced Materials and Services Category Buyer to strengthen their Procurement team based in the Hyde area of Greater Manchester.

Benefits

• A competitive salary
• Hybrid Working (Job needs dependent)
• Car/car allowance (Job needs dependent)
• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays (with an additional 5 days available to buy)
• Contribution Pension scheme
• Life Assurance
• Health Insurance
• Private Medical Insurance
• And many more benefits including – cycle to work scheme, discounts and savings Hub, Kids Pass etc

Role: Materials and Services Category Buyer

• Category Strategy Development: Develop and implement category plans that align with business goals and drive measurable value
• Strategic Sourcing: Lead procurement activities across projects to achieve cost efficiencies, innovation, and optimal value
• Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong supplier partnerships to ensure performance, compliance, and continuous improvement
• Governance and Compliance: Ensure all procurement activities adhere to company and client policies and procedures

Responsibilities

• Work closely with regional leads, project managers, engineers, and site teams to assess procurement requirements and develop category strategies informed by market intelligence and stakeholder input
• Lead sourcing initiatives, including market analysis, tendering (ITTs/RFQs), and supplier evaluations, negotiating commercial terms, service levels, and contractual agreements
• Monitor category performance to identify cost-saving opportunities, drive innovation, and mitigate risks, ensuring compliance with frameworks and governance standards
• Manage supplier relationships, track performance, and implement continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring adherence to Health & Safety and ESG requirements
• Oversee supplier payments, identify framework leakage, and develop mitigation plans to manage project costs and reduce financial exposure
• Ensure procurement activities comply with policies, contracts, and regulations while promoting best practices and sustainable sourcing aligned with business and ESG objectives
• Maintain and optimise the P2P system to ensure accurate data and support internal and external audits
• Produce reports on procurement performance and value delivery, representing the organisation professionally to clients, suppliers, and internal teams
• Share best practices, foster innovation, and actively manage professional development through training, networking, and engagement with industry trends

Requirements

• Excellent communication and influencing abilities, with a proven talent for building strong relationships across departments, suppliers, and stakeholders
• Focused on delivering procurement solutions with a customer-first mindset
• Proactive and confident, capable of representing the Procurement function independently
• Commercially aware, with a strong grasp of category management, key cost drivers, and risk mitigation
• Effective networker with the ability to positively influence business outcomes
• Dedicated to maintaining ethical procurement standards in alignment with the CIPS Ethical Policy
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with a demonstrated history of efficient and professional use
• Actively promotes and upholds the company’s core values and behaviours

If you are looking for a fantastic Materials and Services Category Buyer opportunity and want to work for a leading national contractor with opportunities to progress, then click on the 'apply now’ button.

Due to the high volume of applications, we receive we are not always able to reply to all applications. If you haven’t heard back from us within 2 weeks, then please accept that your application has been unsuccessful for the role we currently have advertised.

Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job. Finlay Jude Associates Ltd acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers.